Ahead of Taylor Swift Performances, Sen. Velis and Rep. Carey Highlight Transparent Ticket Pricing Bill 

(BOSTON, MA – 5/18/2023) This week record-breaking, twelve-time GRAMMY award winner Taylor Swift will perform at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. But this past fall many fans looking to see her perform were left disappointed and frustrated by ticket sale companies. Senator John Velis (D-Westfield) and Representative Dan Carey (D-Easthampton) shared fans’ frustration with the non-transparent ticket pricing by ticket sale companies and introduced legislation earlier this session to reign in these deceptive practices here in the Commonwealth.  

An Act Ensuring Transparent Ticket Pricing, filed as SD.2454 and H.259, would require that any ticket seller or reseller clearly displays the cost of the ticket, including all required and associated fees, prior to the consumer selecting it for purchase. It would also prohibit the practice of dynamic pricing where tickets increase in price during the purchase process based on consumer demand.  

“This bill would add Massachusetts to a list of a growing number of states that have implemented similar policies to ensure consumers know the true cost of their tickets from the onset,” said Senator Velis. “There is often a number of additional fees added to the advertised ticket cost that consumers have minutes, if not seconds, to consider if they want to secure their tickets. It is nearly impossible for people to plan how much a ticket will cost to see their favorite artist, and that is simply wrong.” 

Currently, consumers who have selected a ticket within their budget to purchase often find out during the billing process that there are several required fees added to the original ticket price. These additional fees can sometimes amount to hundreds of dollars above the advertised price and require consumers to make quick decisions on whether to move forward with the purchase of the tickets or lose their spot. In addition to the hidden fees, when dynamic pricing is used, tickets can increase to hundreds or thousands of dollars above the agreed upon ticket cost between the ticket company and artist. As a result of these non-transparent ticket pricing methods, consumers are often unable to predict what the actual cost of a ticket will be. 

“While I wrote this bill before the Taylor Swift ticket fiasco, I have heard from many Swift fans who support this change,” Representative Carey said.  “No matter the event, consumers are tired of the lack of transparency from ticket sellers.  Watching ticket prices increase as you navigate through the purchasing process is devastating.  Sellers should not be able to hide behind websites while consumers are left out in the cold.” 

Representative Carey and Senator Velis noted that their legislation is based off of similar laws in other states. The bill is currently before the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure and the two legislators are hoping for a public hearing soon. 

###